Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 16:22
Published on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 09:21
Written by Al Stover

The Wolf Point School District board of trustees held a meeting Nov. 12 to discuss several items.

Southside School Recovers From Fire, Broken Windows

During her administrative report, Southside Elementary School principal Susan Brown mentioned the Nov. 3 fire that took place in the building.

Brown said the windows that were damaged in the fire are boarded up, the air from inside of the building has been cleaned and the carpet that was damaged by the fire has been removed. Brown added that some technology items were ruined and she is looking for a carpenter to repair the outside of the school.

The cause of the fire is under currently under investigation.

In addition to the fire, 10 windows were broken at Southside School on Nov. 10. Police have cited a juvenile for criminal mischief.

Browns said the school is in the process getting new quote on the damaged carpet and windows.

Strader Resigns From Board

Wolf Point School superintendent Joe Paine read a letter from board member Glenn Strader, who resigned from his position on the board due to health issues.

In his letter, Strader wrote that he wants to enjoy his retirement from teaching, continue to work on an exercise plan and finish an online computer course. He thanked the board members for allowing him to serve on the board and said that he enjoyed learning how school boards work.

Strader’s resignation from the board leaves an open position. Board chairman Martin DeWitt said they will discuss the matter on the next agenda.

Announcements

DeWitt announced that parent/teacher conferences started Nov. 11 and he hopes there will be an increase of parent involvement from the previous year.

Public Comment

Prior to Paine reading Strader’s letter, Patricia Toavs, Wolf Point Education Association president, said she had hoped for more participation for the blood draw and hopes the administration encourages more teachers to fill out the health form, which they can still do if they missed the blood draw.

Toavs also mentioned that Nov. 18-22 is American Education Week.

Consent Items

The board approved minutes for the regular meeting held Oct. 8 and the special meeting and the special meetings held Oct. 22 and Oct. 28. The board also approved warrant and register claims against the districts.

Business

The board approved the purchase of industrial art supplies and equipment from Brodhead Garrett. Paine explained the funding for the supplies will come from the Carl Perkins Grant.

The board approved the bid from Wolf Point Glass/Sansaver Construction for a door replacement for Southside Elementary. Paine explained that one of the doors does not latch and will not close all of the way.

The board approved the hires of Shawn Boysun as a part-time facilities director and Mike Erickson and Wyatt Whitmer as adult education instructors. Erickson will be doing a crossfit adult program while Whitmer will be doing adult education for basketball. Both of these positions are paid for by the adult education program. The board also approved the hire of Ku’u-lkaika Koa’l Edmunson-Shook as a volunteer speech and drama coach.

The board approved the Yellowstone Ecology Project trip, which is scheduled for June 13-20. Wolf Point Junior/Senior High School principal Kim Hanks explained that funding is set aside to take 10 students and two adults to Yellowstone National Park. Hanks stated the explained there has been funding set aside to take 10 kids and two adults to Yellowstone National Park. Funding for the trip was paid for through Title 7.The purpose of the trip is for credit recovery.

Administrative reports

Following her announcement about the damages to Southside Elementary building, Brown mentioned he National Relief Charities will come to the school, Nov. 19, and will donate a pair of shoes to every student and staff member. The school has also started implementing Student Data Notebook.

Brown said Southside began a Success For All Family Support Program, a schoolwide program to implements problem solving methods to help families.

Northside Elementary Principal Hannah Nieskens announced the school will host a family involvement holiday singalong with cookie and hot chocolate, Dec. 5.

In addition to the upcoming family event, Nieskens mentioned that MSU Bozeman Nursing students, under supervision of their professor, came twice to the school and presented health education projects. The nursing students also presented hearing and vision screenings.

During her report, Hanks mentioned the school is working on getting their quarter incentives complete. There were 39 junior high students that qualified for Honor Roll, three for Breakfast of Champions and 52 for Upward Bound. Hanks added that 60 high school students qualified for Honor Roll.

Hanks said the high school volleyball team finished their season at Divisionals, Nov. 7-8. She also mentioned that junior high girls’ basketball and boys’ wrestling have started.

In his report, Paine said the administration team met to develop a district-wide safety inventory. He said the team will prioritize needs and bring some of them to the board.

Paine said he visited all of the buildings and thought teachers parent-conferences went well.

The board motioned for adjournment. The next meeting will take place Dec. 10.